2015 Frankfurt/IAA Auto Show Prius Second Showing

Likely no AWD with that spring. Doesn't totally negate an AWD option now or later. It just likely will mean dropping the independent rear for a torsion bar for more space to fit the AWD components.

 

The torsion bar rear suspensions I'm familiar with are independent though some have a third bar to reduce roll by providing a sprung connection between the trailing arms on each side. Do you mean the double wishbone form of independent suspension?

 

I'm puzzled by the sheer volume of AWD speculation, some of it including some rather ill-informed comments about the "two motors" that have ALWAYS been part of Toyota's HSD. The TNGA platform IS designed to support AWD systems, but there is NO EVIDENCE that the Gen4 Prius will offer an AWD option. NONE. There's been some speculation by fans and/or writers based on TNGA capabilities, and THAT'S IT. These speculations ignore the fact that what might be true for TNGA generally might not be true for the Prius in particular because of its configuration. Having a low, sleek HB body while accommodating batteries, etc., might not leave room for an extra motor in back, and Toyota itself has been mum on the subject.

Don't get me wrong - I'd like there to be an AWD option myself. Having owned a couple of AWD vehicles in snowy climes, I was of course intrigued by the idea of putting an efficient low-speed eAWD system in a Prius, knowing firsthand how valuable that could be when driving in winter conditions. There's just no good reason to think it's part of the story, and until/unless we find out otherwise in Tokyo, this should be treated as the groundless rumor it is, like getting 70 MPG or massive price cuts (both of which I've seen "predicted" here at one time or other).

 

we don't call it fantasyland for nothing.

 

I thought the previous gen s had a torsion beam between the rear wheels.
But yes, the double wish bone.

There was a comment from one on the American executives posted here.

 

I looked for a clickable link, but I guess not. I'll believe you, though. So fair enough, I'll amend my comment:

There's been some speculation by fans and/or writers based on TNGA capabilities, maybe a non-binding comment or two from one U.S. Toyota guy or other, but THAT'S IT.

We happy now?

I have no quarrel with conjecture and blue-skying (that's what this forum is for, after all), but my concern was that this AWD thing is being discussed as a planned/announced feature and visitors might be confused. It's just speculation, like a lot of other speculation that falls on some spectrum from plausible to outlandish, and folks should keep that in mind.

 

I think it's the same in Canada, this page suggests, without spelling it out, that manufacturers do the testing:

2015 Fuel Consumption Guide | Natural Resources Canada

 

It was the head of Toyota who said "available AWD" in the new Prius. That perhaps has been shelved because the show car (H-CR) is now going to be produced? Maybe they will call it a Prius CR. It will certainly have the Prius HSD.
Or perhaps they are going to maintain the "excitement" by releasing the PIP next year, then the Prius V the following year, then the H-CR the year after that?

"All good things come in their own time."
Or put another way, "Good things come to those who wait."

 

If you're referring to the C-HR, then no, it won't be a Prius, and it's not at all certain it will show up stateside w/HSD. As Automotive News reports [Toyota refines compact crossover plans with C-HR ]:

While the C-HR seen in Frankfurt is confirmed for the European market, it’s widely expected to come to the U.S. market in late 2016 under the Scion nameplate. This would make it the last of the three new vehicles Scion has promised dealers, behind the iA and iM that went on sale this month.

Though the C-HR seen in Frankfurt uses a hybrid drivetrain, once the vehicle comes stateside, it’s expected to use a naturally-aspirated gas engine paired with a CVT. Front-wheel-drive will be standard, while AWD should be optional.

Since the C-HR will be based on TNGA, this could well be the hybrid (in some markets) TNGA w/AWD that's been hinted at. Who knows? We're back to waiting on the full Gen4 announcement in Tokyo for the real scoop, which may or may not include either (1) specific plans to offer a Prius hb w/eAWD, or (2) a specific statement that eAWD is not being contemplated for the Gen4 Prius hb.

I have to say, as the C-HR gets closer to its production form (in the AN article,Toyota says we'll see the "real" version next March in Geneva), and especially with hints being dropped that it will at minimum be offered without HSD (and perhaps ONLY without HSD as a Scion in the U.S.), the exciting presumed Prius CUV concept unveiled last year in Paris is looking more and more like a Nissan Juke "me too". Yawn. Especially after the disappointing fuel economy numbers for the Lexus NX Hybrid (and the expectation for little to no improvement with the RAV4 Hybrid), you can wake me when we see the C-HR's MPG.

 

I am actively watching out for C-HR developments and I reckon if I go from a Gen 3 direct to a C-HR I won't have to sacrifice much in terms of efficiency or performance but in return will get AWD and TNGA which would be good. Plus I think the C-HR looks good.

 

I call it a journalism failure.

 

Toyota Prius staff manual TOYOTA 2016 PRIUS??? Japan!
I see wheel choices; hope they are available here!

1. Google Translate

2. Google Translate

3. Google Translate

4. Google Translate

 

Its deliberate. Plus I bet if you stick two big exhausts and an R badge, Prius Gen4 will be in every single car magazine you can think of both online and printed. Basically its the wannabe boy/man racer crowd who are mostly into car magazines these days and they wouldn't want to be seen close to a Prius let alone read about it. What they don't realise however is that a Gen 4 will probably outrun there favourite R badged car in most city roads.

 

Toyota said they improved rear view,but by looking at the pictures rear view seems to be even worse compared with gen. 3 . .
To those who allready had the chance to be in the gen. 4 Prius,did you have the same impression or is it just the perspective the photo was taken and rear view is about the same as in gen. 3 ?

 

By "improved rear view", could they maybe mean it looks good from the rear? And that's a hot topic, lol.

 

There are several indications in those videos of a 4WD option.

 

Which videos and at what position(s) in the video? Unfortunately, I don't understand Japanese. Do you? Does anyone else here?

 

The second video at 1 minute and 22 sec. " E-Four" ???

【新型プリウス】燃費20％向上　初の4WDも設定

 

Clips:

 

I think it's likely that Toyota are referring to the rear corners when they say the rear view will be better because it's the corners rather than straight behind where I think that the Gen 3 has line of sight problems.

I've only seen photos and videos but I've looked at these as closely as I could and it appears to me that the front corner views will be a lot better and that the rear corner views are likely to be somewhat better. I won't know for sure until I sit in one and check.

It would be great to hear from someone who has sat in it and looked at this carefully or, better yet, taken rear facing photos from the perspective of the mirror and the perspective of drivers looking back from various seating positions.